Depopulation and the Looming Catastrophe
Sam Kastensmidt
During the lead up to the 2024 Olympics, the organizing committee released its official promotional poster, featuring an artist’s rendering of familiar landmarks superimposed over a banner image of Olympic stadiums and cheering crowds. Something was missing, however, as the drawing of the Dôme des Invalides had omitted the famous gilded Christian cross that had adorned its pinnacle for three centuries.
The omission is unsurprising, given the anti-Christian, woke agenda that dominates Western-led gatherings on the international scene. It also served as a preview of things to come, such as the overtly pagan opening ceremony in which LGBTQIA+ activists recreated the famous painting of the Last Supper.
Yet, as is always the case historically, God has preserved for himself a remnant of faithful disciples who bear faithful witness amid the hostile pagan environment created by Olympic organizers. Despite Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter which prohibits athletes from religious expressions, many athletes have boldly honored Christ or given thanks to God.
American track star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who won a gold medal in the 400 meter hurdles event, breaking her own world record in the process, regularly credits her success to God. During a televised interview after the Olympic trials earlier this year, she honored Christ for her success: “Honestly, praise God!… Anything is possible in Christ.”
Followers of McLaughlin-Levrone know that the track star takes her inspiration from Christian sprinter Eric Liddell and as he did, runs to the glory of God. In a memoir published this year, she writes:
As a Christian, I now existed to glorify God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Matthew 5:16). At the beginning of 2021, I was learning all the ways my life wasn’t about me. It was about showing the world God’s power, wisdom, kindness, love, and forgiveness. There were a bunch of different ways to do that. Off the track, I could do that by serving others, putting their needs before mine, and being excited when God did a remarkable work in their lives (Philippians 2:3-4).[1]
Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, winner of two gold medals (six medals total) and victor over American gymnast Simone Biles in the women’s floor final, gave glory to God. In a televised interview, Andrade commented:
This medal was not because I asked God for a medal; he gave me the opportunity to win it. I went through everything I had to go through: I worked, I sweated, I cried, I tried hard, I laughed, I had fun, I traveled. So I feel that I made this possible too and he was always there blessing me, protecting me and feeling proud of me, knowing that his servant was always giving her best.
Andrade’s victory in the women’s floor final established her as the top medalist among Brazilian Olympic athletes.
Similarly, teenage skateboarder Rayssa Leal, who won the bronze medal in the women’s skateboarding final, honored Jesus. In the leadup to the medal ceremony, she said in sign language, “Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Further, during the competition, she smiled into a camera and repeated John 14:6: “No one comes to the Father except through Jesus.”
American and Brazilian athletes were not the only competitors to thank God or honor Christ specifically. Ethiopian track star Tsige Duguma, who won a silver medal in the 800 meter race, wrote “Jesus is Lord” on the back of her race bib. Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic, the gold medalist in the men’s singles competition, wore a cross around his neck and commented to the media, “I thank God for giving me his mercy, for giving me this blessing and this opportunity.
Guatemalan trap shooter Adriana Ruano, gold medalist, told the media, “God has been key in this process; he has given me the strength and confidence to be able to do this work.” South African swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker, gold medalist in the 100 meter breaststroke, wore a T-shirt giving thanks to each member of the Trinity. Britain’s Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, bronze medalist in 3 meter synchronized springboard diving, commented, “I give all the glory to God.”
Therefore, the situation surrounding the 2024 Olympics is a microcosm of the spiritual battle scripture describes as taking place in the heavenly realms. In a letter to the Ephesians, Paul describes this conflict as a struggle “not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (6:12). It is a battle in which believers are called to be vigilant, donning the “armor of God” (Eph. 6:11) to stand firm against those who oppose Christ’s kingdom. This struggle is beyond human capability but requires us to use our human capacities to pray for strength and honor Christ in whatever way we can.
Yet, the Olympics also previews the coming Kingdom in at least one joyful respect. The Bible teaches that when Christ returns, he will find for himself a vast throng of worshipers from all tribes, tongues, nations, and peoples (Rev 7:9-10). The worship cast’s diversity, combined with their worship’s authenticity, declares that the God of Jesus Christ is not a tribal deity but the supreme King of the entire universe.
We should be grateful that the Lord never leaves himself without a remnant and that he will return one day to the adoration of believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.
The 2024 Olympics is a microcosm of the spiritual battle taking place in the heavenly realms. But the Olympics also previews the coming Kingdom when Christ will be received by a vast throng of worshippers from all tribes, tongues, nations, and peoples.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Sydney McLaughlin, Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2024), p. 134.
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